HR & Employment
Termination letter / separation agreement
A termination letter or separation agreement documents the end of an employment relationship — the separation date, final pay, return of company property, and, if severance is offered, the terms of a release of claims.
When to use it
Use this any time an employment relationship ends, to put the practical details (final pay, property return, benefits) in writing — and use it especially carefully if severance and a release of claims are involved, since that section carries real legal requirements that a generic template can't substitute for.
What's typically included
- Separation date
- Final pay
- Benefits continuation
- Return of company property
- Severance (if offered)
- Release of claims (if severance is offered)
- Confidentiality and non-disparagement
- Governing law
This document involves employment or workplace-compliance obligations that vary by state and by employer size. It is a general starting point only — not legal advice — and should be reviewed by an employment attorney licensed in your state before use.
Ready to use this template?
Every word is editable before you send — this is a starting point, not a final draft.